One of the things the doctors attributed to me surving was the shape I was in. Despite working long hours, I made it a point to eat healthy ~ everything in moderation and exercise. With my active life maintaining 110-112 lbs. weight was not difficult.
A year into my recovery I started to notice clothes were not fitting, my body shape was changing, the scale numbers were rising and along with not liking the reflection in the mirror I felt uncomfortable. As I entered my fourth year of recovery - I no longer enjoyed going out, the thought of trying to figure out what to wear was overwhelming enough, now add something that also fit and this girl was not going anywhere. By this time I was getting in the pool with RehabGirl, doing some cardio and machines at the gym, along with the daily stretching I had maintentained since year two of recovery. So it was even more discouraging to watch the numbers on the scale continue to rise and my clothes shrinking. People tried to remind me that I was on MEDS which play a roll in weight gain and that I was no where as active as I use to be. By the end of the fourth year of recovery I was hitting 135 lbs. approximately 25 lbs more than I was at pre-accident. I had never gone above 115 lbs. my whole adult life.
When one is in pain or energy difficient the easiest food to reach for is one that is usually high in carbs, sugar, and processed. So my eating habits were clearly not the best. I had never lived by a diet and did not want to consider one - the first 3 letters of that word just do not sit well with me. So when a Nutritionist was suggested, I thought, sure why not? Well let me tell you it was the best thing I have ever agreed to!
After our intial meeting, we discovered I was high in carbs and quite low in protien, some vitamins and minerals. Our second meeting was about discussing the plan, I did not want a diet or deprieve myself anything. Based on the foods I like, it was agreed a plan built around the Mediterranean way of eating would be the best. The third meeting I was given a 7 day menu based on my individual nutrional needs and goals. This plan is designed as a LifeStyle way of eating ~ so when I reach my goals, the food well remain the same with slight modifications to help me maintain my ideal weight. Today was the first day of my new eating LifeStyle and with Mr. G's help I would say it was a success. I found I was eating familiar foods, but was more satisfied. I will check in next week to let you know how it went and what I'm feeling/thinking of this eating LifeStyle.
What are you doing to eat healthy? Have you dieted or looked to a Nutritionist to guide you through?
Tell me more! Please. I'm very interested in learning more. Good for you for getting with a nutritionist. I hope you'll share more with us.
ReplyDeleteGood luck!
Hugs,
Kat
Like the above comment do tell us more. I am sure you will do wonders and stick to it as you have seen results
ReplyDeleteOh darling, you will do GREAT. I also eat a Mediterranean-type of diet (my family is from Italy and my hubs from Portugal). Lots of fish and healthy fats, complex carbs, whole grains. I'm so happy for you. I bet you will do wonderfully! Congrats!
ReplyDeleteI ADORE the title of this post!!!!! And i can TOTALLY see myself quoting you on it! :)
ReplyDeleteI have a lot of catching up to do blog-reading-wise but I am so happy to have stopped by here to see you and say hi.
Hon, you are YOU no matter what that blasted scale says. ;)
XOXO
Ruth
Stick at it - it'll come right in the end. Eating healthily is very important. Surprisingly I was a fitness instructor at one point in my life and I studied nutrition. I think changing your eating habits is fundamental as you get a little older because we all keep changing with age. I rate eating balanced small meals which fill you up but give you the necessary nutrition. The main thing is though to not get obsessed with weight....are you healthy? are you happy? Those are more important than a few pounds.
ReplyDeleteHello My Sweet Dear Girl-
ReplyDeleteI can feel your pain, in a sense. I am at like 114 right now. NEVEr been over 115. I think when I weighed in at the hospital to have little mr I weighted 105!!! 90 my entire adult life.....CRAZY! Right now I feel huge, lol.
(although I have no excuse/nothing to blame but myself!)
I can't wait to hear about your journey! I have actually heard good things about the Mediterranean diet. I was a vegeterian for 14 mths and I think I gavined weighed eating carbs!!
Right now, I just try to eat all natural/organic and smaller portions more frequently. (the eat clean diet way)
My problem is simple.......I LOVE TO EAT.PERIOD!
Much Love, D
Good luck, I'm sure it will make you feel better. Everytime I give up processed food I feel so much better. I can't understand why I won't cooperate with myself when it makes me feel so much better! That picture of all the right things to eat is beautiful!
ReplyDeleteGOOD LUCK, HHL!!! I know how hard it is to lose weight. I used to be slim and trim before the kiddos, but now I look in the mirror and I'm like...ugh. It's so overwhelming to start a plan, but good for you for taking the first step!!!
ReplyDeletebest of luck to you, sweet girl! i hope this goes well - it sounds like you have your head in the right place and a great support team ready to go. i'm sure you will be a success!
ReplyDeleteYou definitely made the right decision to seek the advice of a nutritionist. Several years ago I had limited mobility for a year and then another year of more mobility but still very limited activity. Between that and the meds, I ended up gaining a lot of weight. It took me a while to lose some and I am still not down to where I want to be. Because I am a vegetarian, I am very conscience of what I eat in order to maintain a balanced diet. I sought the help of a nutritionist to get me on track and to make sure I was eating the correct amount of calories and getting all the appropriate nutrients, etc. Good thing I did, because I was seriously lacking in daily calories! I actually was not eating enough and had slowed my metabolism down. After a year of tracking what I ate I am now feeling much better. I plan my menus which helps me keep my meals balanced. Because eating the amount required was too much for me to consume in three meals, I broke it down to five a day resulting in the three main meals and two “snacks.” From previous research, I know there are online programs to help aid meal planning by required calories. Some can be rather arduous because you have to enter everything in but calculate what you enter and give you the calories, fat, sugar, sodium, vitamins, etc. Arduous/tedious? Yes, but I decided my health was worth the extra work.
ReplyDeleteGood luck!
~ Tracy
Oh my! Sorry for the book! I guess I should have emailed!
ReplyDeleteHave a fantastic day my friend!
~ Tracy
I have gained weight recently .. I think..well I know its drinking too much .. Stress also makes you fat as it upsets all your hormones and things...I am definitely starting to look after myself better next week.. I have to nobody else will xx
ReplyDeleteI know your pain! I decided 7 weeks ago to start Weight Watchers. It was a tough decision to make. But I am so glad I did. It is definitely a lifestyle change and it is one I am so glad I made. I am down 20 lbs.
ReplyDeleteCongrats to you for making a decision that supports your goals. you can so this!
the joy of heart-break was loosing the middle age spread I thought was here for keeps...... I just didn't think about food as pleasure only fuel.....however now am back in the land of the living, ripping recipes out of magazines, planning dinner during breafast, happy and here come the pounds...... eat, love.....get fat!!
ReplyDeleteYes keep us posted!!! I will be delighted to be inspired! I would assume it will help. I find when I am busy I too grab the wrong things, at the expense of my tummy :).Sigh...
ReplyDeleteHave a great week,
Nathalie
good post!!!
ReplyDelete;) kisses!!!
Kudos to you! It's amazing how much diet affects things. I had to change the way I ate due to a stomach condition, and I lost 15 lbs and feel so much better!
ReplyDeletePopped in from Lady Bloggers!
Maybe a nutritionist would be the answer for me. I am blaming my age for my weight gain but the truth is I just have to work out more and be more careful. Let us know how it goes! xo
ReplyDeleteHi, I saw your comment at "Such Life in the tropics" and linked to your blog :) Well, I do have my own diet to follow - less meat, less fried foods, less carbo. I also exercise twice a week to maintain my weight (I can put on weight very easily >.<). But I will give myself some "holiday" during the weekend when I can eat anything that I love, but moderately.
ReplyDeleteHi! It's so nice seeing your blog and love your post--I'm on Adkins...lol
ReplyDeleteWish there was a chocolate diet!
XO
I would totally vote for 135 being the new 115. I'll even settle for 125 being the new 115. I never diet & usually stay around 125, but I really should be 115. Think I still have baby weight.
ReplyDeleteI don't know..but I'm SO down with 135 being the new 115..sign me up love!
ReplyDeleteit sounds like you are off to a great start.
ReplyDeleteyour poor body has been on such a roller
coaster, you have to remember to give
yourself time.
considering what you have reclaimed since
your accident, i am confident you will be
a success at this, too!